Tag Archives: bone anchored hearing device

We hear time and time again from parents of Ponto users that doing research into all the hearing options available is the best way to make the most informed decision. For Heidi Jeffs, research into different hearing groups is what led her to not only find the best hearing solution for her five-year-old daughter Rosalee but become an advocate in the hearing loss community.

Rosalee was born with microtia and atresia on her left side and fit with a bone anchored hearing device on a soft band given to her by her audiologist.

“We met with our audiologist and wanted her to have a device. We didn’t know any different or know of other options.”

Shortly after, Heidi learned about Ear Community, a non-profit organization that offers a supportive community for individuals born with microtia and atresia, and other varying degrees of hearing loss.

The community, which was started by Melissa Tumblin whose daughter Ally was born with microtia and atresia, provides support through their online Facebook group as well as annual picnics around the country.

Through her involvement with Ear Community, Heidi began meeting other parents and bone anchored hearing system (BAHS) users and found that feedback was a common issue.

“We were having a lot of feedback issues. Some moms were commiserating about it and then there was one mom whose daughter had bilateral Pontos and she was like ‘what are you guys talking about?’ The woman said her daughter could lay on a pillow with her Pontos on and it wouldn’t squeal. So I started looking into the Ponto devices.”

The Ear Community picnics were where Heidi became familiar with Oticon Medical and her daughter was able to try on a Ponto device for the first time.

“It didn’t sound echoey. It was just clear. I was flat out convinced. Then the more and more that I learned about the company I was even more impressed. It really felt like Oticon Medical stood by their motto ‘People First’.”

When it was time for Rosalee to upgrade, she tested the Ponto 3 on a softband and said yes to switching to the Ponto. Heidi notes that before, it was difficult to get Rosalee to wear her device, but since switching she hasn’t complained once about the softband being uncomfortable or sore, making the transition very easy and enjoyable.

“Between the quality of products and the integrity of the company, it is so far above the others out there.”

Since beginning this hearing care journey with her daughter, Heidi has served on the board of Ear Community for three years and is now a full-time staff member. Additionally, she served on the board for the Idaho Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and was chosen as a parent representative for Idaho to attend the EHDI conference – an early hearing detection and intervention event. To all parents looking to learn about hearing options for themselves or their child with hearing loss, she recommends trying all your options, on your child and yourself, to help you make the best decision for your family.

Are you interested in learning about the Ponto 3 SuperPower and how it can provide early support for children and adults with hearing loss? Click below to be connected to a representative from our team.

Winslow may only be 7 years old, but he knows what he wants when it comes to his hearing. After trying his options, Winslow chose The Ponto System. This May, Winslow decided he was ready to take the next step and be aided bilaterally. Now, he’ll have not one, but two Pontos.

Here’s Winslow and his mom, Ann, to tell their story.

Would you like to talk to Ann and Winslow or another bone anchored hearing system user? Let us know here. If you’d like to share your story, let us know in the comments below or on Facebook or Twitter.

Dr. Sheryl Lewin is a Craniofacial trained Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who has dedicated her career to ear reconstruction, specializing in Microtia ear surgery using the Medpor technique. Her artistic approach and innovative surgical techniques have helped minimize scarring and create more natural appearing ears.

On May 28 at 6pm PST, we hosted a Google+ Hangout On Air with Dr. Lewin about her work. Dr. Lewin discussed simultaneous Microtia ear reconstruction surgery with bone anchored hearing device implants. She also shared more about what the Medpor technique is, a case and took your questions.

We spoke to Aaron not too long ago, a couple weeks before he was set to get his Ponto. Those weeks moved slowly for Aaron as he eagerly anticipated the day that finally came last week– the day that he got to snap on his new Ponto Pro.

So, what’s changed for Aaron?

A lot. But, what he’s realized is that it’s many little things that are making up a very big change. It started with getting used to the volume of his own voice. “I was overwhelmed at how I could hear. I had to take a moment in the elevator to collect myself,” Aaron shared.

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Then, he focused on what he could hear. He was surprised at the distinct sound of tires bumping along the freeway as he road to the airport for a trip to Vegas. “I went to the airport after I got setup, and I couldn’t believe how loud the concrete was while driving on the highway. I had ask, ‘is that normal?'”

What he could hear became even more apparent while doing one of the things he loves most– listening to music. Throughout each conversation we’ve had with Aaron, he’s mentioned his love for music. He’s now noticed that listening to songs he’s heard before might take some getting used to. “When I hear songs that I know, I hear instruments that I didn’t pick up on before. I even asked my wife, is that a remix?” Aaron’s been experimenting with his playlist, seeing which songs are changed now, just by sounding so slightly different.

While Aaron is personally exploring changes, others are taking notice too. One of the benefits that many Ponto users experience is being able to hear well in a group. Particularly, a meeting room or dining table with many people. So, this time, it wasn’t Aaron pointing out the change, it was the group members he met with. “I went to a meeting with a long board-room-like table, the table was long enough to fit about 20 people. When we finished the meeting, the group mentioned that they could actually tell that I could hear better. I would turn my head as a new person spoke, paying attention in a quicker and more focused way.”

A not-so-subtle change that Aaron was expecting is the noise level around his house. He knew that living in downtown Dallas would be a different experience with his Ponto Pro. “Of course I expected to hear the crowds on the weekends, but I can also hear the cars driving down the service road. It’s louder to live here than I thought,” Aaron realized.

Although Aaron will tell you, he’s still adjusting to his Ponto, he’s learning a lot and has a very valuable suggestion. That’s to use the clip that ensures the device won’t fall to the ground if it comes off– at least for the first couple of weeks. “I’d only had my Ponto for about 20 minutes, and as I was getting into the car, I bumped my head on the window. It didn’t get damaged when it feel to the floor, but I don’t want to have to live without it now that I finally have it.”

One of the parts of the experience that Aaron enjoyed the most was getting his device programmed by Johanna Whitson, Au.D., CCC-A of Southwestern Medical Center. “I’ve heard that the software makes a huge different in the sound quality,” Aaron mentioned. And, he’s right, not only is it incredible and interesting, we spend a lot of time ensuring that the software is part of the quality experience. (Foreshadowing: We see a blog post of its own on this topic coming up soon).

We’ll continue to follow Aaron throughout his journey of getting used to all of the little things that have changed. He’s already inspired by how much those little things have contributed to such a different way of living life.

Do you have a question for Aaron? You can always ask him in the comments section below. Also, we’d like to take the time to thank Aaron for sharing his experience. It’s been incredible to be a part of the change in a Ponto user’s life in a whole new way. You can read the full series here.